QED involves mentorship from industry professionals and training by the GLAAD Media Institute. A selected cohort will gain “practical insights on everything from designing inclusive LGBTQ characters to effectively communicating queer stories in marketing and media.” Selected applicants will also be able to travel to San Francisco for the 2026 Game Developers Conference, receiving an All-Access pass and a limited travel stipend for the event in March of next year.
According to a 2024 GLAAD Gaming research report, the organization found that 17% of gamers in the United States identify as LGBTQ, a number that is growing amongst younger players. That number is up from the 10% that was reported in a 2020 Nielsen report.
The non-profit cited this as a primary reason for the need to uplift and empower LGBTQ developers through this program, stating that “despite LGBTQ people making up a significant percentage of players, many mainstream video games do not reflect the diversity of their playerbase. Queer Emerging Developers addresses this gap by investing directly in LGBTQ developers and amplifying the work of those already shaping the gaming landscape.”
The QED program is expected to take place over the first four months of 2026. GLAAD encourages applicants from all over the world to apply, provided they are emerging game developers in their early to mid-career. Those who are interested can apply now on GLAAD’s official website.
